Announcing the CollegeConfidential Writing Awards for 2004-2005

Parent Cafe
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<p>xokandykyssesox had one of the funniest replies – perhaps because he/she got the calculated game plan and the desperation down perfectly --on the thread:</p>

<p>“On a scale of 1-10, how important is it to you to attend an Ivy League School?”</p>

<p>10!!! Prestige Freak!!! I will change myself for Harvard. I will go to Africa and help children with AIDS or work in smelly soup kitchens, study until 5a.m. and get 2 hours of sleep, have no friends, or friends that are just like me, read about the string theory for fun, suck up to my teachers, generate a list of “EC” that looks good on paper, memorize a dictionary for the SAT, practise for ACT every morning at 6a.m. until Im sure i can get a perfect score, kill the teacher if (s)he tries to give me an A- , write my essay during the summer - have every single one of my english teachers since 5th grade review it, hire a professional to review it, and then improve on it. come up with a few hooks, and most of all, i am willing to have no life but prestige…</p>

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<p>Honorable Mention Short Response–UCLAri</p>

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<p>I really want an award. And since this is not the real world I will shamelessly request one, even if I don’t deserve it. Just make one up. I don’t care what it is, how silly, anything. I just find myself checking this thread like a kid, hoping someone gave me one. </p>

<p>See, I am modeling just how liberating an online community can be. I can guarantee you that in my real life I would never, never, never request any recognition and certainly no recognition I don’t deserve:)</p>

44

<p>Carolyn, I read the pencil thread and really enjoyed it. You have lost your sense of humor over the years. :)</p>

<p>Whatever happened to Morgantruce? I guess we all move on.</p>

<p>Alumother, you get the “Most times asked for an award” award. You won it by asking for it once. :)</p>

45

<p>Well,I think you’ve earned it. For the CC-Most Honest and Self-aware Post Coward, I nominate Alumother

An inspiration to us all. </p>

<p>Speaking in your own voice and not pretending to be something you are not counts for a lot in my book.That’s the award I’d really give you. I am a fan.</p>

46

<p>How about lefthandofdog for “Best Advice in One Paragraph or Less” or “Best Post to Pick a Disappointed Kid up and Dust Him/Her off”?</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=47952[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=47952&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>This has made me cry six times, which is the exact number of times I’ve read it. Okay, make it seven.</p>

47

<p>YES!! frazzled1, that was one of my FAVORITE posts this year, THANK YOU for pulling it up and nominating it. It makes me cry every time I read it, too.</p>

<p>Thanks, lefthandofdog. <3</p>

48

<p>Coward Award for Needless Worry: Alu (mother of one talented D)</p>

49

<p>…</p>

50

<p>Now receiving the “Quiet Award” for the above post.</p>

<p>(Hey, it’s what they always gave me when I was in school)</p>

51

<p>** blushing sheepishly**</p>

<p>I got an award for patience and I need to return it. I cannot tell a lie…I am NOT patient! Lack of patience is the biggest problem in my life…and leads to many problems. I’m an “immediate gratification” kind of person. I’m sorry…I don’t deserve the award for patience. </p>

<p>How did I get that one anyway? I must not be showing enough of my true self on CC.</p>

52

<p>Wow, Alum got the Needless Worry award above Berurah? Berurah worries about not haivng anything to worry about.</p>

53

<p>So, momsdream, re your patience, now you get the award for honesty. ;)</p>

54

<p>Coward Award for Melodramatic Post Most Likely to Bring Tears:</p>

<p>Xiggi’s Feb 2004 Post (Poem) about kids leaving the nest…</p>

<p>The long sobs </p>

<p>The long sobs
of autumn’s
violins
wound my heart
with a monotonous
languor. </p>

<p>Suffocating
and pallid, when
the clock strikes,
I remember
the days long past
and I weep. </p>

<p>And I set off
in the rough wind
that carries me
hither and thither
like a dead
leaf. </p>

<p>And TSdad’s very practical response</p>

<p>“Well that’s cheery. You people are staying up much too late.”</p>

55

<p>“now you get the award for honesty.”</p>

<p>Well…errr…about that Honesty Award…</p>

<p>I don’t really want any awards. Can I be on the “stage crew” and work the lights at the awards ceremony?</p>

56

<p>Dear Parents, from the Black Sheep. </p>

<hr>

<p>Dear darling parents, </p>

<p>I know while my cousins were going to Chinese School, I had my hair streaked pink. I know that while they were doing math problems five levels above, I signed myself up for a Kurt Vonnegut cult. I know that while they interned at a research lab, I built my own webdesign business. I know that when they wanted to be doctors, I decided to be a journalist so I could poke my nose into other people’s lives.</p>

<p>And I know that while they applied to Ivy Leagues, I applied to “what–where’s that?” </p>

<p>See, mom, I know that you feel frustrated with me. I understand that everyone, even the dogs go to a prestigous school. I know you feel a bit of loss when your siblings, in-laws, and friends toss around brand name schools and you’re off to mutter my top choice. I know you rush to explain where and what the school is known for, and don’t quite feel so content with the “Ah, I see(s).” </p>

<p>I want you to know that I fully support my choice, with or without you. I really try my best to conform, but after all these years, I have to say I’ve grown comfortable in being me. I take my own route, and I’ve gained my own successes. I wish you appreciated them, as I’ve grown to enjoy them. I got there my own way, didn’t I? </p>

<p>Pink hair never stopped me from being in the top 5% of class did it? But being in the top didn’t stop me from applying to the schools US News must have accidentally reversed in numerical order, did it? </p>

<p>All other parents, I ask that when we have family and friend get togethers, that you don’t give me an “oh” in answer to the college I decided upon. I don’t need your congratulations, but I would like it, because you mean a lot to me. If it makes you feel better, I’ll even let you walk off feeling smug that your child is going to a top ranked college, while I will fail in my lesser one. (But if you do walk off with a plainly smug smirk, I might give you the burnt hot dog.)</p>

<p>For future black sheeps, I hope you would never understand us (for your sanity) but be there for us, to take the detours. Straight lines aren’t for us, we like to careen in late with chocolate in hand, all big smiles. </p>

<p>Parents, I’m happy. Please be happy for me. </p>

<p>Yours Truly, </p>

<p>The Black Sheep (baaa.)</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=57137&highlight=Black+Sheep[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=57137&highlight=Black+Sheep&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

57

<p>I am also proud to be the parent of a black sheep. He comes complete with blue hair , lip rings and baggy pants with chains. Always pushing the boundries and questioning authority.
3 years ago when most parents were looking at thier kids and thinking Penn State, I was looking at mine and thinking State Pen (as were a few other people) he proved everyone of us to be fools. He has taught me more in the past 3 years than I ever taught him in his 18 years of life.
If he decides to go to graduation wearing a pink mohawk, I will be the proud father in the audience with a pink mohawk crying like a baby.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=57137&highlight=Black+Sheep[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=57137&highlight=Black+Sheep&lt;/a&gt; post #19</p>

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<p>Momsdream:</p>

<p>This is actually the translation of a very famous poem by Verlaine. It was used as code during the Resistance to announce D-Day over the airwaves (see the movie The Longest Day).</p>

<p>In French it is used as an example of symbolist poetry because the sound of the words reinforces their meanings. The first stanza goes as follows:</p>

<p>Les sanglot longs
des violons
de l’automne
bercent mon coeur
d’une langueur
monotone.</p>

59

<p>lol. Reinforcing Marite’s award for: Most Erudite!</p>

60

<p>OK Alumother…I nominate you for a Coward for Bravery in the Battle against Byerly …</p>